Hamza Igamane: Morocco’s Next Superstar
Rangers fans have a tendency to build up players to be the ‘next big thing’ very quickly, however, with Hamza Igamane, this may actually come true.
There was controversy surrounding his signing in the summer. Rangers didn’t have much to spend so when a reported £1.7m plus add-ons was spent on a 22-year-old striker from the Moroccan league, eyebrows were raised. Not only that but the former manager, Phillipe Clement, came out and said he wasn’t going to be ready straight away and that he was off the level required.
The Belgian manager was criticised for saying that Igamane was doing ‘interesting things with the ball’ although, since he’s played it’s clear to see what he was talking about. Since Barry Ferguson came in, he’s not shown his best, going ten games with no goals or assists. However, scoring the winner at Parkhead could turn everything around.
Rangers trading model was non-existent until younger players started being purchased in the last couple of windows but this seemed a massive risk, particularly with little finance available. He was highly regarded in Morocco but not a household name anywhere else. Last season with AS FAR Rabat he scored seven goals with three assists in 20 appearances. Not exactly numbers that would make you fall out of your seat, especially when you take into consideration the 12% conversion rate.
However, this is where the scouting and recruitment teams make their money. If you had watched any footage of Hamza Igamane you would immediately see he had something about him. An excellent first touch, a strong and powerful runner with great close control and confident shooting with both feet. He may not have passed the numbers test in the Botola Pro but he definitely passed the eye test.
Photo: FotMob
Again, these numbers may not look mind blowing at first glance. However, it’s worth noting that he didn’t score his first league goal until December 4th vs Kilmarnock, which was his 11th Scottish Premiership appearance. Meaning that after no goals previously, he scored nine in ten domestic matches. It’s not only his numbers that have gotten better but his overall play was outstanding in those matches.
He then went through a spell of no goals or assists in six Scottish Premiership matches. That was until it came to the last Old Firm game at Parkhead when he came off the bench to smash in the winner. After his first ‘poor’ run of form, it was a goal both he and the team really needed. As previously mentioned, his first touch sets him apart from most players and allows him to create so much separation from defenders.
Let’s look at his domestic Per90 shooting numbers;
Photo: FotMob
Considering how many appearances it took to get his first goal and going six without a goal before the Celtic game, averaging 0.60 goals Per90 is incredible. That puts him in the 87th percentile amongst other forwards in the league.The 4.38 shots Per90 also puts him in the 96th percentile and he ranks in the 89th percentile for shots on target.
He’s scored ten goals from 73 shots with 8.13 xG, which gives him a conversion rate of 14%. His technical ability allows him to get shots away quickly, which is why he’s averaging so many shots per game, if you don’t shoot, you don’t score, right?
Photo: FotMob
He ranks really highly for successful dribbles and touches (96th and 94th percentile respectively) and touches in the opposition box (94th percentile). He’s constantly trying to break in and enter the penalty area, where his close control not only allows him to keep the ball but also create space for shooting opportunities.
Photo: FotMob
His radar, which ranks him against other forwards in the league, makes for impressive reading. He’s above the 94th percentile in all the stats you would think are important for a forward, particularly ranking in the 94th percentile for goals is important. It will be interesting to see if he can continue his domestic form throughout the rest of the season and hit the 15-goal mark.
It’s not only domestically that he’s impressed though, there’s probably been more eyes on him because of his performances in Europe. When it comes to the Europa League, the 22-year-old’s numbers are even more impressive. In eight appearances (four starts), he’s scored four goals from an xG of just 1.17.
He’s only taken 13 shots, giving him a conversion rate of 31% and averaging a goal every 106 minutes. On top of that, he also has zero big chances missed. For a player who wasn’t ready for the Scottish game when he first arrived, his performances in Europe have been genuinely incredible.
Photo: FotMob
For a young striker, within his first season in Europe, these stats are excellent. It’s also impressive when you consider the level of opponents that he’s faced so far:
-FCSB
-Olympiacos
-Nice
-Tottenham Hotspur
-Manchester United
-Union Saint-Gilloise
-Fenerbahçe
These sides are absolutely no mugs and it’s not just the numbers but the quality of his goals that may be the most impressive things. His first European goal, also his first for the club, was against FCSB when he latched on to a loose ball, drove at the defenders, used a quick stepover and body feint to set the defender off balance then dragged his shot into the opposite corner.
Away in Nice, a sharp turn and lay-off set up Václav Černý for the opener. Then he latched on to a poor back pass, took it around the goalkeeper, drove into the box, composed himself and fired it into the back of the net. Then for his second, he picked the ball up on the left, knocked it through the defender’s legs with the outside of his boot, took a touch inside then curled it around the goalkeeper into the bottom corner.
His two goals and an assist performance in this game is perhaps his best in royal blue so far. The goal against Spurs is perhaps the most technically impressive. A beautiful ball whipped round from Tavernier bounced just before it got to Igamane and he controlled it wonderfully on the half volley, on his left foot right into the corner. This highlights his quality on both feet.
If clubs around Europe weren’t paying attention to his domestic form, then they’ll definitely be paying attention to his form in the Europa League. He’s currently ranked in the top 40 (38th) for average rating on FotMob, averaging 7.46 over his eight appearances.
The Future for Hamza Igamane
Based on what he’s shown both in Scotland and in Europe, I think that Hamza Igamane has all the tools to make it to the top of the game. The biggest thing to improve for him is probably decision making, sometimes he holds on to the ball for too long.
His biggest strengths are definitely his control of the ball, both in terms of first touch and the ability to create space with short, sharp touches. In terms of being a striker, he has the confidence and technical ability to shoot on sight and, most of the time, at least make the keeper make a save.
Not many players walk into a league/team and immediately stand out the way the Moroccan has but I think that’s a sign he’s capable of stepping up. He’s shown he can handle playing against more reputable opposition in Europe and that only furthers my belief that he can go to the top.
He’s had his rough spell of going ten games with no goal or assist. He even lost his starting place to Cyriel Dessers as Barry Ferguson took over. His response to that though was to score the winner at Parkhead and now he’s made his international debut for Morocco. Both of those things will do his confidence the world of good and he’ll be desperate to prove he’s the best striker at Rangers.
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It’s not a matter of if Rangers will sell him, it’s just a matter of when, assuming he remains injury free and on the same development path. Clubs all over Europe are always on the hunt for strikers and ones that can create something out of nothing are hard to come by, add in to that the physical aspects of his game and it’s easy to see why clubs would be interested.
There are times when, as fans of a club, you just need to enjoy a player while you have them and, in my opinion, that’s the case for Rangers fans with Hamza Igamane.
By: Kai Watson / @KaiGWatson
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / James Gill – Danehouse / Getty Images